What is an Attack in Volleyball?
An Attack in Volleyball is the action of hitting the ball towards the opponent’s court during a Rally (with the ball in play).
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Serve and the Block are also actions of hitting the ball towards the opponent’s court, but are not considered Attacks in Volleyball.
What is the Goal of the Attack in Volleyball?
The goal of an Attack in Volleyball is to make the ball hit the opposing team’s court.
When is an Attack performed in Volleyball?
The Attack in Volleyball is usually the third touch on the ball by a team and happens after a Set.
An Attack may also occur on the second contact by the team, the Attack on the 2nd hit, or on the first contact by the team, the Attack on the 1st hit.
Attacking Techniques in Volleyball
Basically, there are two Attacking Techniques in Volleyball: the Spike and the Tip/Dink.
Spiking Technique in Volleyball
The Spike is an Attacking technique performed with power and speed. The stages of the Spike are:
- A quick run to build momentum (some Attacks are performed without the run due to lack of space);
- A jump to help you get higher;
- A downward hit on the ball, with a bent wrist.
Tipping Technique in Volleyball (Dinking)
The Tip or Dink is an Attacking technique in Volleyball that does not make use of force, being performed with a light hit on the ball with the fingertips to avoid the opponent’s block.
Stages of the Dink in Volleyball:
- A quick run to build momentum (some Attacks are performed without the run due to lack of space);
- A jump to help you get higher;
- A hit on the ball with the fingertips, aiming to send the ball over the Block or through an open spot on the Block.
Types of Attacks in Volleyball
There are three basic types of Attacks in Volleyball: Attack on the 3rd hit, Attack on the 2nd hit and Attack on the 1st hit.
Attack on the 3rd hit
The Attack on the 3rd hit in Volleyball is the most common in a Volleyball match. It follows the following order of the 3 allowed hits by a Volleyball team:
- Reception or defense
- Set
- Attack
Attack on the 2nd hit / Dump Setter
The Attack on the 2nd hit is the Attack performed on the second hit of a team. It’s usually done by the team’s Setter, but it may also be done by another player on the team.
In the Attack on the 2nd hit, the natural order of the 3 hits on the ball by a team is interrupted by a Spike on the second hit.
Attack on the 1st hit
The Attack on the 1st hit is the Attack performed on the first hit by a team.
The Attack on the 1st hit in Volleyball occurs when the opposing team commits a mistake in the Serve Reception, in the Defense, or in the Set, and the ball is sent over the net towards the opposing team’s court. At this moment, the opposing team’s spiker hits the ball, usually with a Spike, making the ball hit the floor of the adversary’s court.
Is the Libero allowed to Attack?
According to the Volleyball Rules, the Libero is the only player that cannot perform an attack. All of the other players are allowed to Attack, including the Setter.
Hi,
Good afternoon.
I am hereby requesting for the different attacking skills in a volleyball game.
Thanks